TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | GALATIANS 4-6
“A Symbolic Drama” With Meaning for Us
The apostle Paul used this “symbolic drama” to illustrate the superiority of the Abrahamic covenant over the Law covenant. Under the loving supervision of Christ and his fellow heirs of the promise to Abraham, all humankind has the prospect of freedom from sin, imperfection, sorrow, and death.—Isa 25:8, 9.
HAGAR—THE SLAVE GIRL Literal Israel under the Law covenant, with Jerusalem as its capital |
SARAH—THE FREE WOMAN Jerusalem above, the heavenly part of God’s organization |
HAGAR’S “CHILDREN” The Jewish people (bound to Jehovah by the Law covenant) persecuted and rejected Jesus |
SARAH’S “CHILDREN” Christ and the 144,000 spirit-anointed Christians |
ENSLAVEMENT TO THE LAW COVENANT The Law reminded natural Israelites that they were slaves to sin |
A COVENANT BASED ON FREEDOM Faith in the value of Christ’s sacrifice provides a basis for freedom from the Law’s condemnation |